Monthly Archives: <span>February 2016</span>

Michigan Auto Insurers Inadvertent Tax Break Targeted for Repeal

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and lawmakers inadvertently gave auto insurers a tax break worth $80 million a year. Now, they want to end it – either to bail out Detroit’s state-managed school district or to address other priorities at a …

New Mexico High Court to Consider Farm Laborer Workers’ Comp Question

The New Mexico Supreme Court plans to review a lower court ruling that cleared the way for farm and ranch laborers across the state to receive workers’ compensation benefits. The justices issued a brief order suspending a ruling by the …

Signs El Nino is Weakening, Though Effect Won’t be Felt for Months

Meteorologists see signs that the super El Nino is weakening ever so slightly, but they caution months will pass before people in the Americas will feel it. The World Meteorological Organization said Thursday that El Nino has passed its peak …

Slow Pace to Automatic Braking System on All Cars Worries Safety Advocates

Federal regulators and the auto industry are taking a more lenient approach than safety advocates like when it comes to phasing in automatic braking systems for passenger cars, according to records of their private negotiations. The technology automatically applies brakes …

Texas ‘Affluenza’ Teen’s Case Moved to Adult Court

A judge on Friday sent the Texas teenager who used an “affluenza” defense in a fatal drunken-driving wreck to adult court, raising the possibility that he could get jail time for the 2013 crash that killed four people. Ethan Couch …

Safety Advocate Wants Government to Reopen Jeep Fire Investigation

An auto safety advocate is calling on the government to reopen an investigation of rear-crash fires in older Jeep SUVs after finding at least 11 more deaths since the vehicles were recalled. The deaths show that the recall repair – …

Ethical Bosses May Burnout, Lash Out at Employees

Is your boss ethical? Does he or she do what’s right, as opposed to what’s profitable? If so, they may turn downright abusive the next day. New research on leader behavior by Russell Johnson, associate professor of management at Michigan …

Tax Refund May be Delayed, But at Least You’ll Get It

Last year’s income tax season was marked by an explosion of refund theft. Will this year be any different? Increased protections may cut down on fraud but will likely draw out the wait for your money. Changes will be visible …

Chances of Total Takata Airbag Recall Rise With More Deaths

As the Takata airbag saga drags on, concerns are growing that tens of millions of U.S. drivers with cars that haven’t been recalled could be at risk of death or injury from the potentially defective devices. Federal safety regulators last …

FEMA Reports Record Number of Flood Policies Purchased in California

Federal emergency officials reported Tuesday a surge in the number of California residents who have purchased flood insurance, most likely in response to a rainy El Nino winter. Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency said insurers have written more …